Explores the development of illusionistic mural painting and architectural illusions in German churches of the 17th and 18th cs. Contains chapters on various approaches to painterly illusionism in wall and ceiling paintings, as well as on the use of light and color to create illusion. Follows with a discussion of the iconographic significance of illusionism. Provides biographical sketches of artists mentioned in the text, as well as a list of churches with brief descriptions of their painted decoration. ;